Although Google’s algorithm is very complicated and includes over 250 different elements, luckily for us they’ve been very open and clear about what gets good ranking in their search engine. Their stated goal is to organize the information on the internet and give their users the very best possible experience and result when they search for something online. With that in mind, their parameters for ranking make perfect sense.

If you're studying PR, or you're working in the industry, the recent study from USC Annenberg should be by your bedside. The report covers the disruption of the PR industry, what's changing, what talent is needed in the new model of PR, and where the industry is headed.

This week's #DigitalPR Twitter chat on Friday at 1 pm Eastern 10 am Pacific is about the rapid growth of interest in using user-generated content (UCG) as a marketing and PR tactic.  A year ago UCG was not even on the list of preferred tactics or content types for marketers.  In the recent Content Marketing Institute report 79% of marketers said they plan to use UCG in 2016.